The selection race's aftermath was far greater than Kagura expected. She spent nearly the whole day dealing with all sorts of visitors and well-wishers. Kagura was grateful that there weren't many reporters around—although she'd asked Nice Nature to run a livestream, it had been during work hours, so the number of viewers wasn't huge. Overall, it was manageable.
[Wud]:Kagura-meimei, I got tons of requests from Bilibili uploaders asking for permission to clip your livestream. I messaged you earlier, but you didn't reply. Are you really busy over there?
In the evening, as Kagura finally had a chance to check her phone while walking back to the dorm with Nice Nature, she noticed the afternoon message from Wudi-san.
[Inari Kagura]:Ah, sorry about that! It's been hectic here today, I didn't have time to reply. If it's just clips... wait a second, I'll ask my friend first.
After briefly reading through Wudi-san's messages, Kagura quickly grasped the situation. Personally, she didn't mind at all—her stream wasn't something embarrassing, so having a few extra clip compilations wouldn't hurt. But since the livestream hadn't just involved her, she decided to show her phone to Nice Nature first.
"Nature, some uploaders want to clip the livestream and upload videos. But since you were also on the stream, are you okay with it?"
"Hm? Oh, sure! I didn't really do anything weird, right...? If Kagura's fine with it, I'm fine too."
Nice Nature glanced briefly at the message and quickly agreed, seeing nothing problematic.
[Inari Kagura]:My friend says it's okay. Wudi-san, feel free to handle it however you like.
[Wudi]:Okay! Oh right—earlier today, you mentioned you might do a livestream to chat with fans if you had time. Lots of viewers messaged me privately asking when you'll go live. Do you have a date in mind?
[Inari Kagura]:If lots of people are interested, I can try doing one in a few days when things calm down.
[Wudi]:[Hooray!.jpg] By the way, since you'll be streaming soon, how's your Chinese lately? Should I translate for you, or...?
[Inari Kagura]:Thanks to Ardan-ojousama, I've learned quite a lot. Reading comments shouldn't be a problem. Do you have any special requests for what I should do on stream?
[Wudi]:Since it's your first livestream, just chatting and reading comments is probably enough. If you want to do anything extra, just let me know in advance. I'll go announce the stream now—after all, it's Kagura-meimei's first-ever Bilibili stream!
[Inari Kagura]:Alrighty~
And just like that, the plan was easily settled. Kagura wasn't sure what else she might stream, but reading comments seemed simple enough.
"Without even realizing it, Kagura's become a famous star in Tracen!"
"Isn't this exactly what happened after your selection race too?"
"Kagura's way more famous! How many people even showed up at mine? But look at today—bigshots, major families, super-popular streamers—everyone came just for you. It shocked everyone! When has Tracen ever been this lively?"
Teasing Kagura, Nice Nature reached out to lightly pinch her cheeks:
"Hehe~ Don't forget what you promised me this morning, okay?"
"Of course I remember... But Nature, you're already this grown-up, yet you still like clinging to me and hugging? Isn't that a little...?"
Kagura chuckled softly in resignation. She definitely wouldn't forget what she'd promised Nature earlier, and personally she didn't think it was a big deal. Still, seeing Nature now—already so mature yet still affectionate and clingy—Kagura couldn't help but marvel again at how peculiar honkaku really was.
"What's wrong with that! Just because I'm matured doesn't mean I can't hug my best friend!"
Nature confidently declared.
To be honest, Nature herself wasn't entirely sure if her actions were still considered just "friendship." Recently, whenever she got close to Kagura, a strange voice deep inside her heart kept urging her to embrace Kagura, creating a mysterious impulse. She figured it was probably due to not seeing Kagura much over winter break, followed by Kagura's busy schedule afterward.
After all, for someone like Nature, who hardly had friends, Kagura was genuinely the most precious person to her besides her family. Even her parents reminded her to cherish this rare friendship with Kagura when she visited home.
Sigh, if only Kagura could spend even more time with me...
...
"Sorry to intrude~"
Following Nice Nature, Kagura entered her dorm. Even knowing it was empty, she instinctively announced herself anyway.
Nature's dorm room was quite tidy, clearly well-maintained. Kagura glanced around and nodded approvingly to herself.
Seems like Nature and her roommate both have good habits—not messy at all.
Kagura silently praised the room's cleanliness, especially after witnessing Maruzensky-san's disastrous room—now that was truly apocalyptic. Compared to that, Nature's and Rudolf-ojousama's dorms were practically paradise.
"I'll go make some tea for you! Just like you taught me… hehe. I still have some senbei left, want some?"
Imitating how Kagura usually treated her, Nature pulled Kagura over to sit at the small table in the center of the room before heading off to fetch water and boil the kettle.
——Don't interfere too much. Her movements are a lot smoother than before; clearly, she's practiced hard. She invited you here today to show you her progress, so just sit quietly and let her handle this herself.
Kagura was about to stand up and help, but Eclipse-san's timely advice appeared on her phone's screen, making her pause. Observing Nature's movements, Kagura indeed noticed how much more proficient she'd become compared to the clumsy girl who'd once managed to trip just picking up tea leaves.
Ah, so that's how it is…
A small smile involuntarily tugged at Kagura's lips. Somehow, she felt a proud warmth, as if watching her own child finally grow up.
A few minutes later, Nature came over with a small plate of senbei and a freshly brewed pot of tea. Just as Kagura had done during her first visit to Nature's home, Nature carefully placed the cups, lifted the teapot, and poured Kagura a steaming cup of tea.
"My hospitality is lacking! Please enjoy!"
"Pfft—Nature, where did you even learn that phrase? But your tea-making skills really have improved a lot compared to before."
"Hehe... I'm just glad Kagura is satisfied!"
Sitting down beside Kagura, Nature grinned sheepishly and poured herself a cup as well.
Unlike the elegant ojou-samas Kagura often interacted with, Nature always exuded a simple, rural charm and sincerity. To put it bluntly, she was very down-to-earth, a trait Kagura found incredibly endearing.
After finishing her first cup, Nature finally felt warmth seep back into her body, having spent so long walking outdoors in the chilly night breeze. She stealthily stole a glance at Kagura, who sat primly, carefully holding her cup with both hands and sipping it little by little. Kagura's cautious, delicate demeanor resembled some small, adorable animal.
I really want to pat her head... but would Kagura allow me to...?
Nature felt a restless urge stirring within her fingertips, but worried Kagura might be uncomfortable, she quickly suppressed that impulse.
"Phew~ The temperature is just right. Your tea skills have truly improved dramatically, Nature!"
After taking her time finishing the tea, Kagura exhaled happily.
"Thanks~ Hehe~ Guess all that practice finally paid off!"
Seeing Nature hesitate as if wanting to say something more, Kagura tilted her head curiously, reaching for a senbei.
"What's wrong?"
"No, it's just... it's been a while since we could sit together like this, Kagura. Last year, we even spent time listening to the rain together. I feel like this is our first time alone this year."
"If you'd like, I can spend some time with you every evening after returning to the dorm."
"No, no…! I don't want to trouble Kagura that much! I just... wanted to hug you… Can I?"
"Sure~"
Nice Nature hesitated with obvious embarrassment, yet Kagura readily agreed without any hesitation.
After getting Kagura's permission, Nice Nature, who'd already tensed up nervously, carefully reached out to hug Kagura. Her stiff posture caused her to lose balance just as she leaned forward. She panicked, trying to regain stability, but it was already too late—
"Wah—!?"
Losing her balance completely, Nature toppled directly onto Kagura. Kagura instinctively tried to catch her, but Nature was both bigger and heavier; before she could brace herself properly, Kagura was pushed down onto the floor, her back inevitably hitting the ground hard.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch…"
Nature, who'd fallen along with Kagura, squirmed slightly in a daze. She noticed her face pressing against something soft and warm, enveloped in a comforting scent, causing her to unconsciously rub her face against it twice.
Then, suddenly regaining her senses, Nature opened her eyes—and found that she'd been nuzzling Kagura's chest. Kagura herself seemed stunned by the sudden impact and hadn't reacted yet.
"Uwahhh!!"
Despite the impulse urging Nature to press closer and rub some more, rationality instantly kicked in. She sprang up immediately, then hurriedly helped Kagura sit up.
"K-Kagura, are you okay?!"
"I'm perfectly fine~ Such a small bump couldn't possibly hurt an Uma Musume... Ahh, this feeling really brings me back. Even though you've grown, Nature is still the same old Nature in some ways~"
Seeing Nature's panicked face bright red, Kagura couldn't help but giggle softly, reaching out to gently pat Nature's head to reassure her.
Ahhh, why did I do something so stupid just now!!
Internally cursing her past self from just moments ago, Nature's face burned fiercely. Yet strangely, though guilt stirred in her heart, she felt a surprising desire to do it again.
"Alright, alright, nothing's wrong at all. No need to panic—why not have some senbei to calm your nerves~?"
Seeing that Nature's mental CPU seemed about to overload, Kagura quickly spoke up to lighten the atmosphere.
"Ah! R-right! Senbei!"
In her flustered state, Nature quickly grabbed a senbei, intending to put it in her own mouth, but upon seeing Kagura's gentle smile, her hand unconsciously moved forward instead, pressing the rice cracker softly against Kagura's small lips.
"Hm? Is Nature trying to feed me?"
Kagura, who'd been reaching out to take one herself, paused in surprise when something dry and crispy poked against her lips. She realized it was Nature pressing a senbei against her mouth.
"Eh?"
Eh? What am I doing?
Nature herself was utterly bewildered by her own actions. She was fairly sure her initial intention wasn't to feed Kagura, so how did the cracker end up near Kagura's mouth?
"Well~ Don't mind if I do, then~"
Smiling lightly, Kagura opened her mouth slightly and delicately bit into the offered senbei, the cracker emitting a pleasant crunch.
Taking the piece into her mouth, Kagura politely covered her lips with one hand, nibbling quietly with a crunch-crunch sound. Perhaps enjoying it immensely, her ears and tail happily swayed behind her, creating a sight so adorable it made Nature's heart itch.
Suddenly, an absurd thought flashed through Nature's mind—what if she held a senbei between her own lips to feed Kagura directly? What kind of expression would Kagura make?
She suddenly felt curious.
Waitwaitwait!! What am I even thinking right now?!
Nature quickly snapped back to her senses, realizing with embarrassment that she'd just considered something completely fatherly-inappropriate.
"Oh! This senbei tastes really good! Nature, where'd you buy it?"
Kagura let out a delighted sigh, glancing curiously at Nature.
"Ah… um… it's… just from… a store I found in the shopping mall earlier..."
Ahhhhhhh!! Why can't I even speak properly anymore!!!
Nature cried out miserably in her heart.
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